On July 23, it would be six years since the ace broadcaster, actor and author, Dr. Adebayo Faleti, passed on. His family is set to immortalise him with a film that also celebrates the success story of Nigeria’s new President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In this interview with EVELYN OSAGIE, Faleti’s wife, Olubunmi, formerly of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Ibadan, speaks on life before and after his demise.
Tell us about your journey with the late Adebayo Faleti?
My journey with my late husband was funny and eventful. Our paths crossed and we fell in love but my parents were against our union so it was a difficult journey. My father happened to be a pastor who is well established in Christ Apostolic Church with the likes of Pa Olowere and Pa Abiara.
Faleti’s problem with my parents was his background: they believed him to be a son of an herbalist owing to how he dressed and the nature of his job. Earlier, before I met my husband, a pastor had shown interest to marry me and that was where my parent’s interest was. So, when Faleti came with his friends to seek my hand in marriage, he was disgraced, especially by my mother. He came with the likes of Prof Akinwunmi Ishola and some other friends but they were chased out amidst shouts and threats.
At that time, Adebayo Faleti was the general manager of broadcasting house BCOS in Ibadan, so my parents were afraid he may retaliate so they kept me indoors and never allowed me to go out. I was indoors for a few days until I told them my office sent me to go to Abuja but I actually went back to Faleti.
I came back home pregnant and my parents were furious, attempt was made to terminate the pregnancy but a doctor advised them against it so they left me alone and never forgave me until after I bore three children.
But it wasn’t all rosy. I remember when a woman was brought into the house under the pretense of cooking for my husband whenever I went to the office. The experience cost me a child but I conquered it in the end.
How would you describe Adebayo Faleti?
Adebayo Faleti was a broadcaster, an author, a poet, a tutor and above all he was a seer. If he were to be in the church line, I mean a clergy, I will say he was a prophet because he always foretold the future. He foretold Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presidency when our current president was celebrating his 60th birthday. In 2012, my late husband said Asiwaju would become Nigeria’s president one day, he even printed an exercise book addressing him as the “The President that Nigeria will celebrate” to mark his birthday. And 11 years after, it has come to pass like his numerous predictions. When my parents were trying to abort my pregnancy no one told him about it because everything was planned under our roof but how he got to know about it is still a mystery till date.
He was very generous and open-handed. Faleti would rather give money to the needy; he won’t be able to eat if others didn’t.
He was the general manager of BCOS, former chairman, Cultural Centre Ibadan, a lecturer and reputable script writer and actor. He was a caring father to his children and a loving husband to me.
Who would you liken his behaviour to Faleti’s?
It is a registered fact that President Tinubu’s behaviour can be likened to that of Faleti as he also helps people a lot and many resourceful people cannot complete their success story without mentioning his name. If we go down memory lane to review how Tinubu fought for Yoruba during the NADECO issue, I can boldly say his victory is the dividend of what he had done way back. They were very close. And as I’ve said, Faleti predicted his presidency during the time, he presented his play, ‘Oba lolo’ to mark Asiwaju’s birthday.
And like my hubby, he is a generous man. Could you believe, Tinubu even gave us the attire we wore at her daughter’s wedding?
Six years on, how have coped with the loss of your husband?
It is not an easy experience being a widow. I miss my husband… a lot! When my darling husband passed on six years back, I thought then that all hopes were lost. It would be six years on July 23, I still miss him, even more. That is why I cannot but say thank you to my loving children and other wonderful people in my life for their support since the past six years. I am grateful to God
What are some of the legacies Faleti left behind and what is the family doing to immortalise him?
His works are one of his greatest legacies that he gave to us all. His children are part of his legacies too. Almost all of them share in his talent of writing and communication. They are all involved in stage/TV production one way or another. They have also adopted his character of generosity and open-handedness. One of his children is running a foundation (AFAAF Foundation) in his name, she has provided over three boleholes to some communities in her father’s name. And Faleti also had several proteges as well.
Before going into what we are doing to immortalise him, let me use this medium to call on the government to look into reconstructing the Cultural Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State. Unfortunately, the place, where my husband once served, is in a sorry state. We also call on government to immortalise Faleti. We will also be happy if the Cultural Centre is named after him because he did his best to boost its image as the chairman. But it is now a shadow of its former self and under lock. We were grateful that late Governor Isiaka Ajimobi named a street after him.
Why honourTinubu with the film?
On our part, we are set to immortalise Faleti. We are working on a film that would be an adaptation of one of Faleti’s novels, The Freedom Fight, along with his other works, depicting the success story of Tinubu. We know that as a creative person, my late husband’s works transcended his family members and so we are open to partnership and support from all. We hope to mark the sixth anniversary of his passing with the film.
We also want to use this medium to thank all those who have uplifted Adebayo Faleti annual celebration; and those who stood by Faleti family, the likes of Chief Ebenezer Obey, Bukola Oladejo, and Prince Joko Okupe.